extra spurs

Yet in a little over seven weeks he heads to his old stamping ground to confront Lionel Messi and many of the players who helped him win the Champions League twice.

There, unlike in the build–up to the Hammers clash, there will be no hiding place.
The Catalan declares himself delighted to be facing Barca in Group C, in which City also take on Celtic and Borussia Monchengladbach.
He revealed the draw with his first love left him saying ‘wow!’, adding: “I cannot deny this was special for me.
“I grew up in Catalonia, I was 13 years old when I went to their academy, promoted to a professional player and trainer.

Pep Guardiola would love to parade the Champions League around the Etihad

“I spent most of my life there. I know the people there, most of the players are still there. The emotion is there.”
So is the big question over whether he thinks his calculated risk to test himself with an English club will result in success — particularly in European football’s elite competition.
He admitted: “There isn’t a better team to check our current level as a team against. But, of course, it’s just the beginning, we still need some time.

“We have to put up with that because it’s the draw and we will have to face it.”
Other than the Joe Hart saga, life at the Etihad has been serene so far for Guardiola.
But he refuses to look too far ahead when it comes to how he is finding the whole experience.
He said: “That is a question I ask you to ask after three or four months — you ask after two weeks.
“I am excited, very pleased.
“Congratulations to the Premier League because it is well organised with traditional stadiums.
“It’s very tough, so demanding.
“But I am going to try and implement our point of view, our way to see our game here in England.
“I’m so excited to convince our players to play the way we like. Until now, of course, results help.”
Beating strugglers Sunderland, wannabees Stoke and a Romanian team who collapsed 5–0 at home is not, however, why City moved heaven and hell to get him and then gave him a £45million, three-year contract.

Sunday’s Premier League preview featuring West Brom v Midddlesbrough and Man City v West Ham

He is there to complete Sheikh Mansour’s multi–billion pound Abu Dhabi masterplan of turning City into the rulers of Europe. Just like Barca.
The Sheikh, in allowing chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak to ruthlessly dispense with previous bosses Mark Hughes, Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini, has already shown in the eight years since he took over he likes to get footballing answers sooner rather than later.
Pep can stonewall for now.